Potts Eager For Mary's To Maintain Winning Form

Head coach Ciaran Potts was not getting carried away with St. Mary's third consecutive win in Division 1A of the All-Ireland League - a well-judged 29-6 triumph over Garryowen on home turf.

Darren Hudson and Mark Sexton scored a try apiece and in-form full-back Gavin Dunne booted the rest of the points - five penalties and two conversions - as St. Mary's College saw off the challenge of Garryowen under the Templeville Road floodlights.

With his side now in third place in the table, St. Mary's supremo Ciaran Potts said: "We are about where we should be. We had a bad start to the league with two losses. We've started to find a bit of momentum over the last month.

"Every team in the league will aim for the top three. Given the season we had last year, when we got to the final, it has given us more desire, more hunger this season. You don't get ahead of yourself.

"You don't say your goal is the final. Our goal is the top three again and we will take it from there."

The Dubliners endured a difficult start to the league campaign with defeats to Old Belvedere (home) and Young Munster (away), but a record-breaking 53-0 thumping of Shannon got Potts' men back on track.

"We lost our first two games. We were down in eighth. We have won our last three," he added.

"We're up to third, It is a forgiving league because each team has the ability to beat each other. It is just important when you get on a winning run, like we have, to keep it going."

Understandably, Garryowen boss Paul Cunningham was not as upbeat as he contemplated seventh position in the table, one place above bottom club Shannon, with one win in five rounds.

"It was 23-3 by half-time with two tries off our own mistakes. It killed us. We can't argue with that. St. Mary's are a quality side," he said.

"You have the Rhys Ruddocks of this world. Paul Nash, their captain, is a fine seven and Ian McKinley hurt us. He played extremely well from out-half.

"We played the game we wanted to play in the second half. We made chances. But, we didn't take them.

"It is a very tight league. We have to be patient. There is a long way to go yet."

Cunningham will want two big 80-minute peformances from his side when they host defending champions Cork Constitution next time out and travel to current leaders Old Belvedere on December 4.

The countdown is on to the Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23. Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens & Women's Rugby, previews what promises to be an exciting couple of days.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Jenny Murphy talks about the progress made by the Ireland Women's Sevens team and their pool draw for the upcoming Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Conor Murray and Tommy Bowe speak to Irish Rugby TV about their Rugby World Cup preparations and thank the thousands of supporters who came out to see the players at the open training session at the Sportsground.

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell gives his verdict on the team's new Rugby World Cup jersey and talks about his move to French club Toulon. Ireland's RWC 2015 range is available to pre-order now from http://shop.irishrugby.ie.

Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens, talks about the target of a top three finish for both the Ireland Men and Women in Lisbon this weekend, as they continue on their quests for Olympic qualification.

Tom Daly, who recently captained the Ireland Men's Sevens team to the European Division C and B titles, is looking forward to playing in this weekend's Rugby Europe Olympic Repechage tournament in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ireland will host the 'Women's Sevens Dublin' at UCD on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. Tournament director Garrett Tubridy and Ireland stars Lucy Mulhall, Jenny Murphy and Louise Galvin speak about their excitement ahead of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series qualifier.

Coach Allen Clarke and stand-in captain Billy Holland answer questions from the media following Emerging Ireland's 45-12 victory over Georgia in the final round of their successful Tbilisi Cup campaign.

Emerging Ireland coach Allen Clarke speaks about his side's five-try 33-7 win over Uruguay in the Tbilisi Cup and the first half injury to captain Rhys Ruddock. They wrap up the tournament against hosts Georgia on Sunday.

Speaking about the floods that occurred following the Tbilisi Cup's first round, Emerging Ireland team manager Joey Miles said: "A natural event like that, a tragedy like that puts the game of rugby into perspective. We express our regrets to the Georgian people and the Georgian Union for the terrible tragedy that they had."

David O'Reilly from the IRFU Charitable Trust's Corporate Patrons Committee speaks about the new scheme which provides businesses with unique networking opportunities and provides a platform for companies to effectively activate their CSR programmes. For further information, please contact Linda Black of the Charitable Trust - telephone (01) 6473866 or email: linda.black@irfu.ie / http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34728.php.